CN114502019A

CN114502019A - Aerosol generating device with battery monitoring arrangement

Info

Publication number: CN114502019A
Application number: CN202080070205.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.吉尔
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2019-10-08
Filing date: 2020-10-05
Publication date: 2022-05-13
Also published as: KR20220076472A; WO2021069393A1; EP4042508A1; JP2022551569A; US20230145098A1

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device (10) comprising: a housing (16) defining a cavity (18) for receiving an aerosol generating substance (26); a controller (22); and a rechargeable battery (20) positioned in the housing (16). The controller (22) is configured to detect expansion of the rechargeable battery (20) in the housing (16).

Description

Aerosol generating device with battery monitoring arrangement

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to aerosol generating devices and more particularly to aerosol generating devices for heating an aerosol generating substance to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

Background

Devices that heat, rather than burn, aerosol generating substances to generate an aerosol for inhalation have gained popularity in recent years by consumers. Such devices may use one of a number of different approaches to provide heat to the aerosol generating substance.

One approach is to provide aerosol generating devices that employ a resistive heating system. In such devices, a resistive heating element is provided to heat the aerosol generating substance and thereby generate a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Another approach is to provide aerosol generating devices that employ an induction heating system. In such a device, an induction coil and a susceptor are provided. When the device is activated by the user, electrical energy is supplied to the induction coil, which in turn generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The susceptor couples with the electromagnetic field and generates heat which is transferred, for example by conduction, to the aerosol generating substance, thereby generating a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Whichever approach is used to heat the aerosol generating substance, it may be preferred that the aerosol generating device comprises a rechargeable battery to supply the required power to the resistive heating element or induction coil. However, the use of rechargeable batteries may have certain drawbacks that the present disclosure seeks to mitigate.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising:

a housing defining a cavity for receiving an aerosol generating substance;

a controller;

a rechargeable battery positioned in the housing;

wherein the controller is configured to detect expansion of the rechargeable battery in the housing.

The aerosol generating device is adapted to heat the aerosol generating substance, rather than to burn the aerosol generating substance, to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating substance and thereby generate a vapor that cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device.

In the general sense, a vapor is a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, meaning that the vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without decreasing the temperature, while an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or other gas. It should be noted, however, that the terms "aerosol" and "vapour" are used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with respect to the form of inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by the user.

Detection of physical extension of the rechargeable battery is readily achieved by the controller, thereby avoiding potential damage to the aerosol generating device, for example by allowing the device to be taken out of service, and/or by enabling action to be taken to replace the rechargeable battery, and/or by enabling the controller to modify the manner in which the rechargeable battery is charged and/or discharged.

The aerosol generating device may comprise an electrically conductive member whose electrical characteristics change in response to expansion of the rechargeable battery in the housing. The conductive member may be positioned in the housing such that the conductive member is deformed by expansion of the rechargeable battery in the housing. The change in the electrical characteristics of the conductive member provides a reliable indication of physical expansion of the rechargeable battery.

The electrical characteristic of the conductive member may vary based on the deformation of the conductive member. Therefore, the degree of physical expansion of the rechargeable battery may be determined based on the change in the electrical characteristics. For example, a small change in the electrical characteristic may indicate a small amount of physical expansion of the rechargeable battery (which may not require intervention or replacement), while a large change in the electrical characteristic may indicate a large amount of physical expansion of the rechargeable battery (which may require intervention or replacement).

The controller may be configured to detect expansion of the rechargeable battery based on the detected change in the electrical characteristic of the electrically conductive member. Thus, the controller can reliably detect any physical expansion of the rechargeable battery based on the change in the electrical characteristic of the conductive member.

The rechargeable battery may include one or more rechargeable cells housed within a battery housing. The battery housing may have any suitable geometry, and may be, for example, generally cylindrical, generally button-shaped or coin-shaped, or generally rectangular. These housing geometries are given by way of example only and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other housing geometries may be employed and are well within the scope of the present disclosure.

The electrical characteristic may include a resistance of the electrically conductive member, and the controller may be configured to monitor the resistance of the electrically conductive member. With this arrangement, the controller may be configured to detect physical expansion of the rechargeable battery based on the detected change in resistance of the conductive member.

The electrical characteristic may include a conductivity of the conductive member, and the controller may be configured to detect an interruption in the conductivity. For example, the conductive member may be configured to pull apart and mechanically fail under tension if the rechargeable battery expands. With this arrangement, the controller may be configured to detect physical expansion of the battery based on the detected interruption of the conductivity of the electrically conductive member.

The conductive member may extend around at least a portion of an outer surface of the rechargeable battery. The structure of the aerosol generating device can be simplified.

The conductive member may extend along substantially the entire perimeter (e.g., circumference) of the rechargeable battery. This may allow any expansion of the rechargeable battery to be reliably detected.

The conductive member may extend a distance around an outer surface of the rechargeable battery that is greater than a circumference (e.g., circumference) of the rechargeable battery. The opposite ends of the conductive member may be displaced relative to each other in the axial direction of the rechargeable battery. In one example, the conductive member may be diagonally or spirally wound on the rechargeable battery. In another example, one or more portions of the conductive member may extend substantially in an axial direction of the rechargeable battery. With these arrangements, the conductive member can cover a larger surface area of the rechargeable battery, thereby enabling the expansion of the rechargeable battery to be detected more reliably.

The conductive member may be disposed on an outer surface of the rechargeable battery. For example, the conductive component may be coated, adhered, printed, deposited or otherwise fabricated onto the outer surface of the rechargeable battery. Direct and intimate contact between the electrically conductive member and an outer surface of the rechargeable battery may facilitate detection of expansion of the rechargeable battery and may allow the structure of the aerosol-generating device to be simplified.

The conductive member may be positioned adjacent an outer surface of the rechargeable battery. In this example, the electrically conductive member may be an integral part of the aerosol generating device. For example, the electrically conductive member may be provided on a housing of the aerosol generating device.

The conductive member may comprise a conductive track or a conductive strip.

The controller may be configured to generate an alert upon detecting expansion of the rechargeable battery. This may allow a user of the aerosol generating device to take appropriate action, for example by ceasing use of the device and possibly removing and replacing the rechargeable battery.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater electrically connected to the rechargeable battery and arranged to heat an aerosol-generating substance positioned in the cavity, and the controller may be configured to electrically disconnect the heater from the rechargeable battery upon detection of expansion of the rechargeable battery. Further use of the device may be prevented and potential further physical expansion of the rechargeable battery may be prevented. This may minimise the risk of physical damage to the aerosol generating device by preventing continued use.

The heater may comprise a resistive heater. The resistive heater may comprise a resistive heating element. The resistive heating element may comprise a resistive material. Examples of suitable resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, conductive ceramics (e.g., tungsten and its alloys), and composite materials including metallic materials and ceramic materials.

The heater may comprise an induction coil arranged to generate an alternating electromagnetic field for inductively heating the inductively heatable susceptor. The induction coil may comprise Litz (Litz) wire or Litz cable. However, it should be understood that other materials may be used. The induction coil may extend around the cavity.

The shape of the induction coil may be substantially helical. The circular cross-section of the helical induction coil may facilitate insertion of the aerosol-generating substance, or for example an aerosol-generating article containing the aerosol-generating substance and optionally one or more inductively-heatable susceptors, into the cavity and ensure uniform heating of the aerosol-generating substance.

The inductively heatable susceptor(s) may include, but are not limited to, one or more of aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, and alloys thereof (e.g., nickel chromium or nickel copper alloys). By applying an electromagnetic field in its vicinity, the susceptor(s) may generate heat due to eddy currents and hysteresis losses, thereby causing conversion of electromagnetic energy to thermal energy.

The induction coil may be arranged to operate, in use, by a fluctuating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density of between about 20mT to about 2.0T at the highest concentration point.

The controller may include electronic circuitry. The rechargeable battery and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at high frequencies. The rechargeable battery and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at a frequency of between about 80kHz and 500kHz, possibly between about 150kHz and 250kHz, and possibly about 200 kHz. Depending on the type of inductively heatable susceptor used, the rechargeable battery and electronic circuitry may be configured to operate at higher frequencies (e.g., in the MHz range).

The aerosol-generating substance may be any type of solid or semi-solid material. Exemplary types of aerosol-generating solids include powders, particulates, pellets, chips, threads, granules, gels, rods, loose leaves, chopped fillers, porous materials, foams, or sheets. The aerosol-generating substance may comprise a plant-derived material, and may in particular comprise tobacco. The aerosol generating substance may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco.

The aerosol-generating material may be encased by a paper wrapper and may thus be embodied as an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol generating article may be formed substantially in the shape of a rod. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter, for example comprising cellulose acetate fibres. The filter may be coaxially aligned against the aerosol generating substance.

The aerosol-generating substance may be disposed within the shell, and thus may be embodied as an aerosol-generating article. The shell may be a gas permeable shell and may comprise an electrically insulating and non-magnetic material. The shell may comprise a gas permeable material, such as a porous material. The material may have a high permeability to air to allow air to flow through the material with high temperature resistance. Examples of suitable breathable materials include cellulose fibers, paper, cotton, and silk. The breathable material may also be used as a filter. Alternatively, the shell may comprise a material (e.g., a non-porous material) that is air impermeable, but includes perforations or openings to allow air to flow through the shell.

The aerosol generating material may comprise an aerosol former. Examples of aerosol formers include polyols and mixtures thereof, such as glycerol or propylene glycol. Typically, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol former content of between about 5% and about 50% (dry weight basis). In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol former content of between about 10% and about 20% (dry basis), and possibly about 15% (dry basis).

In another example, the aerosol-generating substance may be the aerosol former itself. Thus, the aerosol-generating substance may be a liquid. In this case, the aerosol generating device may comprise a liquid transfer element (e.g. wick) associated with the heater which allows liquid to be vaporised by the heater and vapour to be formed and released/discharged from the liquid transfer element which subsequently cools and condenses to form an aerosol suitable for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device.

Upon heating, the aerosol generating substance may release the volatile compound. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavor compounds such as tobacco flavors.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an example of an aerosol-generating device including a rechargeable battery, and a conductive member extending around an outer surface of the battery;

fig. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic sectional views taken along line a-a in fig. 1, showing the rechargeable battery in an unexpanded state and the rechargeable battery in an expanded state, respectively;

fig. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views similar to fig. 2 and 3 of an alternative example in which the conductive member extends around a portion of the outer surface of the rechargeable battery; and

fig. 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to fig. 1, showing only the rechargeable battery and the conductive member extending spirally around the outer surface of the rechargeable battery.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to fig. 1-3, an example of an aerosol-generating system 1 is diagrammatically shown. The aerosol-generating system 1 includes an aerosol-generating device 10, and an example of an aerosol-generating article 24. The aerosol generating device 10 has a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14 and includes a housing 16 defining a cavity 18. The housing 16 includes one or more air inlets 19 for supplying air to the cavity 18. The aerosol generating device 10 further comprises a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery 20, and a controller 22. Although only one rechargeable battery 20 is shown in fig. 1, it should be understood that the power source may comprise a plurality of rechargeable batteries 20, and that the or each rechargeable battery 20 may be, for example, inductively rechargeable.

The aerosol generating device 10 is generally cylindrical and the cavity 18 defined by the housing 16 is also cylindrical and takes the form of a cylindrical heating compartment. The cavity 18 is arranged to receive a correspondingly shaped, generally cylindrical or rod-shaped aerosol-generating article 24 comprising an aerosol-generating substance 26. The aerosol-generating article 24 is a disposable article that may, for example, contain tobacco as the aerosol-generating substance 26. The aerosol-generating article 24 has a first end 28 and a second end 30, and includes a paper wrapper 32 surrounding the aerosol-generating material 26. The aerosol-generating article 24 also includes a filter 34 at the first end 28 that is coaxially aligned against the aerosol-generating substance 26 and the paper wrapper 32. The strainer 34 acts as a mouthpiece and comprises a gas permeable plug comprising, for example, cellulose acetate fibers. Both the paper wrapper 32 and the filter 34 are overwrapped by an outer wrapper 36, typically comprising tipping paper. In an alternative example not shown in the drawings, the filter 34 may be omitted and instead the aerosol generating device 10 may comprise an integral mouthpiece.

The aerosol generating device 10 includes a heater 37 for heating the aerosol-generating substance 26 without burning the aerosol-generating substance 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 37 includes a resistive heating element 38 positioned radially outward relative to the cavity 18 and extending around the cavity 18.

During operation of the aerosol-generating system 1, electrical current is supplied to the resistive heating element 38, causing it to generate heat. Heat from the resistive heating element 38 is transferred to the aerosol generating material 26 positioned in the cavity 18, for example by conduction, radiation and convection, to heat the aerosol generating material 26 and thereby generate a vapour which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating system 1. The addition of air from the surrounding environment through the air inlet 19 facilitates vaporization of the aerosol generating material 26.

The aerosol generating device 10 comprises an electrically conductive member 40 in the form of an electrically conductive track 42. In the illustrated example of fig. 1-3, the rechargeable battery 20 is generally circular in cross-section, and the electrically conductive tracks 42 extend circumferentially around the outer surface 20a of the rechargeable battery 20, substantially around the entire circumference. As is apparent from the cross-sectional view of fig. 2 showing the rechargeable battery 20 in an unexpanded state, the conductive tracks 42 are located adjacent to the outer surface 20a of the rechargeable battery 20. More specifically, the electrically conductive tracks 42 are disposed on the housing 16 inside a battery compartment in which the rechargeable battery 20 is positioned. In another example (not shown), the conductive tracks 42 may be disposed on the outer surface 20a of the rechargeable battery 20, for example, by coating, adhering, printing, depositing, or otherwise fabricating onto the outer surface 20a of the rechargeable battery 20. In both cases, the conductive tracks 42 are arranged such that when the rechargeable battery 20 is in an unexpanded state as shown in fig. 2, the conductive tracks 42 remain intact and still conductive.

In the illustrated example of fig. 1-3, the conductive tracks 42 are formed of a substantially inextensible material. Thus, if the rechargeable battery 20 expands by a predetermined amount or beyond a predetermined threshold, the conductive tracks 42 are pulled apart and break under tension, for example, at a designated point a in fig. 3, resulting in an interruption of the conductivity of the conductive tracks 42. The controller 22 may be configured to detect an interruption in the conductivity of the conductive tracks 42, and thereby detect expansion of the rechargeable battery 20 in the housing 16.

In another example illustrated in fig. 4 and 5, the conductive track 42 extends around only a portion of the outer surface 20a of the rechargeable battery 20. The conductive tracks 42 comprise an extensible material that mechanically extends under tension as the rechargeable battery 20 expands in the housing 16. As is apparent from a comparison of fig. 4 and 5, the conductive tracks 42 extend due to the expansion of the rechargeable battery 20. The conductive track 42 has a resistance that changes (e.g., increases or decreases) as the conductive track deforms, particularly as the conductive track extends. The controller 22 may be configured to detect a change in resistance of the conductive tracks 42, and thereby detect expansion of the rechargeable battery 20 in the housing 16.

In some embodiments, the controller 22 may be configured to generate an alert when expansion of the rechargeable battery 20 is detected, for example, based on a detected interruption in the conductivity of the conductive tracks 42 (fig. 2 and 3) or based on a detected change in the resistance of the conductive tracks 42 (fig. 4 and 5). The alarm may notify the user of the aerosol generating device 10 that an expansion of the battery 20 has been detected, for example, to enable the user to stop using the device 10 and/or replace the rechargeable battery 20. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 20 may be configured to electrically disconnect the resistive heating element 38 from the rechargeable battery 20 upon detection of physical expansion of the rechargeable battery 20, and/or modify the charging and/or discharging characteristics of the rechargeable battery 20, for example to minimize the speed of further expansion of the rechargeable battery 20 and extend the service life of the rechargeable battery.

Referring now to fig. 6, an alternative example of the electrically conductive tracks 42 is shown extending helically around the outer surface 20a of the rechargeable battery 20. In this alternative example, the conductive tracks 42 extend around the outer surface 20a total distance greater than the circumference of the rechargeable battery 20. As described above, the arrangement of the electrically conductive tracks 42 extending around the outer surface 20a of the rechargeable battery 20a distance greater than the circumference of the rechargeable battery may allow for more reliable detection of expansion of the rechargeable battery 20, as the electrically conductive tracks 42 cover a larger surface area of the rechargeable battery 20.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is, it is to be interpreted in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device (10) comprising:

a housing (16) defining a cavity (18) for receiving an aerosol generating substance (26);

a controller (22);

a rechargeable battery (20) positioned in the housing (16);

wherein the controller (22) is configured to detect expansion of the rechargeable battery (20) in the housing (16).

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 in which the aerosol-generating device (10) comprises an electrically conductive member (40) whose electrical characteristics vary in response to expansion of the rechargeable battery (20) in the housing (16).

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive member (40) is positioned in the housing (16) such that the electrically conductive member (40) is deformed by expansion of the rechargeable battery (20) in the housing (16).

4. An aerosol generating device according to claim 3, wherein the electrical characteristic of the electrically conductive member (40) varies based on deformation of the electrically conductive member (40).

5. An aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the controller (22) is configured to detect expansion of the rechargeable battery (20) based on a detected change in the electrical characteristic of the electrically conductive member (40).

6. An aerosol generating device according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the electrical characteristic comprises the resistance of the electrically conductive member (40), and the controller (22) is configured to monitor the resistance of the electrically conductive member (40).

7. An aerosol generating device according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the electrical characteristic comprises the conductivity of the electrically conductive member (40), and the controller (22) is configured to detect an interruption in the conductivity.

8. The aerosol generating device according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the electrically conductive member (40) extends around at least a portion of an outer surface (20a) of the rechargeable battery (20).

9. An aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 2 to 8 in which the electrically conductive member (40) extends along substantially the entire perimeter of the rechargeable battery (20).

10. An aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 2 to 8 in which the electrically conductive member (40) extends around the outer surface (20a) of the rechargeable battery (20) a distance greater than the circumference of the rechargeable battery (20).

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 10 in which opposite ends of the electrically conductive member (40) are displaced relative to each other in the axial direction of the rechargeable battery (20).

12. An aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 2 to 11 in which the electrically conductive member (40) is provided on an outer surface (20a) of the rechargeable battery (20).

13. An aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 2 to 11 in which the electrically conductive member (40) is located adjacent an outer surface (20a) of the rechargeable battery (20).

14. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim in which the controller (22) is configured to generate an alarm upon detection of expansion of the rechargeable battery (20).

15. An aerosol-generating device according to any preceding claim in which the aerosol-generating device (10) comprises a heater (37) electrically connected to the rechargeable battery (20) and arranged to heat an aerosol-generating substance (26) located in the cavity (18), and the controller (22) is configured to electrically disconnect the heater (37) from the rechargeable battery (20) upon detection of expansion of the rechargeable battery (20).